Comparisons between white ginseng radix and rootlet for antidiabetic activity and mechanism in KKAy mice.

The mechanisms responsible for the antidiabetic activity of both the white ginseng radix (Ginseng Radix Alba, GRA) and the rootlet (Ginseng Radix Palva, GRP) were investigated. After a four week oral administration, the fasting blood glucose levels in the GRA- and GRP-treated groups were lower when compared to the control group. To elucidate the hypoglycemic mechanism(s) of the ginseng radices, glucose absorption from the small intestine, hepatic hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities, in addition to PPAR-gamma expression in adipose tissue were examined. The results strongly suggest that GRA can improve hyperglycemia in KKAy mice, possibly by blocking intestinal glucose absorption and inhibiting hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase, and GRP through the upregulation of adipocytic PPAR-y protein expression as well as inhibiting intestinal glucose absorption.